Kudos Otumfuo
If you close your eyes to the facts, you will learn through accident. African Proverb.
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It is not for nothing that the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, is referred to as King Solomon, in relation to the insightful manner in which he settled some issues that came before him in the early days of his reign.
Last weekend, he observed 17 years of his ascending to the Golden Stool, Asikadwa Kofi, the embodiment of the spirit of the Asante Kingdom .He followed up with a thanksgiving service at the St Cyprian Anglican Cathedral last Tuesday.
Over the period, Otumfuo Osei Tutu has made an impact and enhanced the significance of the chieftaincy institution. There were many who were sceptical about chieftaincy. A few even called for the abolition of the institution. The likes of such people have since had a change of mind following the leadership style of Otumfuo Osei Tutu.
While Otumfuo Osei Tutu has never shied away from protecting and promoting the interests of Ashantis, he had equally proven to be a true nationalist. The Otumfuo Education Fund covers students across the length and breadth of the country. Even in the Ashanti Region, the scholarship is not limited to native but any child who deserves to be supported to have education.
That is important because the authority of the Golden Stool goes beyond the Ashanti Region. Indeed, the Asantehene is the only one of his kind in the country whose subjects are spread across four regions. There are chiefs in the Brong Ahafo, Eastern and Volta regions, who owe allegiance to the Golden Stool. No matter what some would say against the Ashanti Kingdom, just like membership of the British Commonwealth of Nations, the chiefs are more willing to serve the Golden Stool than to secede.
Beyond these, there is a lasting bond between the Asantehene and the overlord of Dagbon. That is why it has been the wish of every Ashanti that peace and order will prevail in the Dagbon area such that we can continue with our friendship. There are many in the Volta Region who cherish Otumfuo Osei Tutu because of the warmth that he exudes and his desire that we will remain a truly one nation with one people and live in harmony even with our diversity.
The association of the Asantehene with the paramount chiefs of Gonja and Mamprugu, in the matter of the Dagbon Chieftaincy, has further enhanced the status of Otumfuo. The three eminent chiefs have strived to bring lasting peace to Dagbon.
Otumfuo’s warning to chiefs under his authority on their involvement in partisan politics, at the Akwasidae last weekend, must be taken seriously because partisan politics could undermine the authority of the chiefs if they appear susceptible to partisan interests and fawn before politicians.
It is no crime for any chief to seek government support to promote development in their traditional areas. It is equally no aberration for chiefs to extend gratitude to governments for the provision of development projects. However, there is everything wrong with chiefs promising political leaders the full support and vote of their subjects because they have brought development to their areas. When chiefs bring themselves that low, especially when the assurance is made before a sitting President, they undermine the will of their people and bring their authority into disrepute. They equally make a mockery of the 1992 Constitution which bars chiefs from active partisan politics.
Yes chiefs must support governments to deliver on their mandate. But that also requires that they keep the aspirations of their people in mind such that when the government does not appear to measure up to the task of moving the nation forward, the chiefs should not shy away from telling them that they are failing the people. When they do that it would not be construed as opposition against the government but protection of the interests of the people. It is people who make chiefs important, not governments.
It is said that when one does not have an elder to advise or admonish him, whenever they hear others being admonished or advised, they should take advantage to organise their lives. So our traditional leaders from across the country should learn from the warning of Otumfuo to chiefs under his authority.
My request to Otumfuo is that the exercise he began some couple of years back to have landlords in Kumasi perfect their titles to lands will be made functional. Landlords should no longer be kept in suspense but would be provided their land title certificates.
As Otumfuo marks his 17th anniversary of ascending the Golden Stool, God will grant him grace and blessings. His reign must be glorious and may he live his life in full and in good health. Long live Otumfuo, long live Asanteman.